4 killed in India's Ladakh as protesters clash with police over statehood

A senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Anadolu that among the dead were civilians, while the injured also included police personnel.

Authorities imposed restrictions in Leh district, saying any procession, rally or march shall not be carried out without prior approval.

Kavinder Gupta, the top administrator of Ladakh, appealed for calm in a video message, accusing some groups of disturbing security in the region “due to their own interest.”

The Indian Home Ministry blamed activist Sonam Wangchuk for inciting unrest. In a statement, it said Wangchuk misled “people through provocative mention of Arab Spring-style protest and references to Gen Z protests in Nepal.”

“A mob instigated by his provocative speeches left the venue of the hunger strike and attacked a political party office as well as a government office,” it said.

“The mob continued to destroy the public property and attack the police personnel. In self-defence, police had to resort to firing in which unfortunately some casualties are reported,” the ministry added.

Ladakh was carved out of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019 when New Delhi revoked the region’s autonomy and divided it into two federally ruled territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Since then, locals have pressed for constitutional safeguards and statehood to preserve political rights, land ownership and employment.

New Delhi set up a high-level committee in 2023 to negotiate with Ladakh's representatives, with the next meeting scheduled for October.